Jeremy Corbyn's National Anthem Row Erupts On Twitter With #BetterNationalAnthems

Twitter Mercilessly Trolls Media With #BetterNationalAnthems
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Jeremy Corbyn departs his North London home ahead of the Prime Ministers questions on September 16, 2015 in London, England. This will be the labour leaders first Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons since being elected leader of labour party (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Jeremy Corbyn departs his North London home ahead of the Prime Ministers questions on September 16, 2015 in London, England. This will be the labour leaders first Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons since being elected leader of labour party (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images

Jeremy Corbyn made the front pages of most British newspapers on Wednesday, after he refused to sing the national anthem at a Battle of Britain remembrance event the previous day.

The new Labour leader, a committed republican, was harangued by the press for what he defended as "respectful silence", some editors decrying him instead as "hapless and furious", others "small-minded" and a "bigot".

Some thought the criticism unwarranted, given his long-held anti-monarchist views, with the Daily Mirror commenting: "As an avowed republican, Corbyn would have been branded a hypocrite had he belted out God Save The Queen.

"Whatever your view of him, it is absurd to suggest he was showing a lack of respect to our country's war heroes. He was there to pay them respect and he chose to do so silently."

But Twitter - in classic Twitter fashion - hit back spectacularly at Wednesday's negative media coverage of Corbyn, quickly coining the '#betternationalanthems' hashtag.

Users of the micro-blogging site took Fleet Street journalists to task, suggesting both controversial and classics tunes that could replace Britain's 'God Save The Queen' at state events.

The news came as Corbyn reneged on his decision not to sing the national anthem at occasions like Tuesday's remembrance event.

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